‘Distressing'

Published: Friday, January 25, 2013 at 7:43 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, January 25, 2013 at 7:43 a.m.

Tina Danner of Fletcher wants to talk about junk mail, although the subject tends to raise her ire. After taking on her mom's affairs, she noticed something very wrong. "I am amazed," she says, "at the number of shysters out there trying to pull a quick one on the elderly. They start out saying they want your opinion, and on the back page they're always asking for money to keep some planetary disaster from happening. Somebody is always wanting to rip you off. It's distressing for the aged, and it's embarrassing. So many people are lining up to steal from you, and they no longer have to break into your house to do that. There are so many ways people can steal from you. I've tried to put my mom on a no-junk-mail list and the do-not-call list, but it's just sad how they still get through. The elderly are vulnerable, and we need to be aware."

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‘DIDN'T LEARN': Dick Roberts of Hendersonville has been reading about the history of the National Rifle Association and found it interesting that the organization was chartered in the state of New York in 1871. "I find it particularly interesting that things got started in a state that is the home of Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, the anti-gun owner who hasn't yet accepted the fact that if there had been an armed and trained citizen on the Long Island Railroad train in 1993, perhaps her husband and others would still be alive," says Mr. Roberts. "Maybe she also hasn't accepted the fact that mass shootings have repeatedly taken place in gun-free zones that are defenseless, victim-rich environments. Reading about the history of the NRA, you might also find it interesting how the British citizens were disarmed by their government prior to World War II and were bailed out of the situation by Americans. Unfortunately, the Brits didn't learn a thing and disarmed their people again after the war. As the saying goes, ‘You can't fix stupid!' "

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THINK ABOUT IT: A lesson making the Internet rounds is titled, "It's the tortoise life for me!" And it reads, "If walking is good for your health, the postman would be immortal. A whale swims all day, only eats fish, drinks water and is fat. A rabbit runs and hops and only lives 15 years. A tortoise doesn't run and does nothing, yet it lives for 450 years. And you tell me to exercise? I don't think so. I'm retired. Go around me."

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COULD IT BE?: A grandfather was delivering his grandchildren to their home one day when a firetruck zoomed past. Sitting in the front seat of the firetruck was a Dalmatian dog. The children started discussing the dog's duties. "They use him to keep crowds back," said one child. "No," said another. "He's just for good luck." A third child brought the argument to a close. "They use the dogs," she said firmly, "to find the fire hydrants."

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LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Asheville-based author Megan Shepherd's debut novel, "The Madman's Daughter," will be published Jan. 29, and a launch party to celebrate the book will be held at Highland Books in Brevard from 5 to 7:30 p.m. that day. The launch party will feature live music, wine and refreshments, giveaways and an opportunity to have the book signed and meet the author. Shepherd also will participate in a Young Adult author panel at Malaprop's Bookstore in Asheville at 7 p.m. Feb. 2, and this event also is open to the public. Shepherd is the daughter of Tim and Peggy Hansen of Brevard, owners of Highland Books, which recently celebrated its 35th year in operation as the community's independent bookstore. Shepherd says, "I couldn't be happier to be celebrating the publication of my first novel in my family's bookstore, which was a second home for me and where I fell in love with books and reading." More information on the author and her book can be found online at meganshepherd.com.

<p>Tina Danner of Fletcher wants to talk about junk mail, although the subject tends to raise her ire. After taking on her mom's affairs, she noticed something very wrong. "I am amazed," she says, "at the number of shysters out there trying to pull a quick one on the elderly. They start out saying they want your opinion, and on the back page they're always asking for money to keep some planetary disaster from happening. Somebody is always wanting to rip you off. It's distressing for the aged, and it's embarrassing. So many people are lining up to steal from you, and they no longer have to break into your house to do that. There are so many ways people can steal from you. I've tried to put my mom on a no-junk-mail list and the do-not-call list, but it's just sad how they still get through. The elderly are vulnerable, and we need to be aware." </p><p>u</p><p>'DIDN'T LEARN': Dick Roberts of Hendersonville has been reading about the history of the National Rifle Association and found it interesting that the organization was chartered in the state of New York in 1871. "I find it particularly interesting that things got started in a state that is the home of Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, the anti-gun owner who hasn't yet accepted the fact that if there had been an armed and trained citizen on the Long Island Railroad train in 1993, perhaps her husband and others would still be alive," says Mr. Roberts. "Maybe she also hasn't accepted the fact that mass shootings have repeatedly taken place in gun-free zones that are defenseless, victim-rich environments. Reading about the history of the NRA, you might also find it interesting how the British citizens were disarmed by their government prior to World War II and were bailed out of the situation by Americans. Unfortunately, the Brits didn't learn a thing and disarmed their people again after the war. As the saying goes, 'You can't fix stupid!' "</p><p>u</p><p>THINK ABOUT IT: A lesson making the Internet rounds is titled, "It's the tortoise life for me!" And it reads, "If walking is good for your health, the postman would be immortal. A whale swims all day, only eats fish, drinks water and is fat. A rabbit runs and hops and only lives 15 years. A tortoise doesn't run and does nothing, yet it lives for 450 years. And you tell me to exercise? I don't think so. I'm retired. Go around me."</p><p>u</p><p>COULD IT BE?: A grandfather was delivering his grandchildren to their home one day when a firetruck zoomed past. Sitting in the front seat of the firetruck was a Dalmatian dog. The children started discussing the dog's duties. "They use him to keep crowds back," said one child. "No," said another. "He's just for good luck." A third child brought the argument to a close. "They use the dogs," she said firmly, "to find the fire hydrants." </p><p>u</p><p>LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Asheville-based author Megan Shepherd's debut novel, "The Madman's Daughter," will be published Jan. 29, and a launch party to celebrate the book will be held at Highland Books in Brevard from 5 to 7:30 p.m. that day. The launch party will feature live music, wine and refreshments, giveaways and an opportunity to have the book signed and meet the author. Shepherd also will participate in a Young Adult author panel at Malaprop's Bookstore in Asheville at 7 p.m. Feb. 2, and this event also is open to the public. Shepherd is the daughter of Tim and Peggy Hansen of Brevard, owners of Highland Books, which recently celebrated its 35th year in operation as the community's independent bookstore. Shepherd says, "I couldn't be happier to be celebrating the publication of my first novel in my family's bookstore, which was a second home for me and where I fell in love with books and reading." More information on the author and her book can be found online at meganshepherd.com.</p>